Optical Droplet Volume Measurement and Control System
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current systems for dispensing small droplets in biomedical fields, such as genome sequencing and diagnostics, face challenges in accurately measuring and controlling droplet volumes, leading to high failure rates due to missing or incorrect dispense volumes, especially with low-volume dispensing systems.
Innovation Solution
A system utilizing a plurality of light sources and detectors to intersect light beams at specific angles, allowing for real-time measurement and control of droplet volumes, distinguishing between droplets and bubbles, and adjusting dispensing parameters based on feedback signals to ensure accurate deposition.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If low-volume dispensing systems are used to dispense small droplets, then the capability to control and measure small volumes is improved, but the reliability of dispensing accuracy deteriorates due to high failure rates from missing or incorrect dispense volumes
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a feedback mechanism where optical detectors continuously monitor droplet volume during dispensing and provide real-time signals to the control system. This feedback loop enables the system to detect missing or incorrect dispense volumes and compensate by adjusting dispensing parameters or triggering re-dispensing operations, thereby maintaining high reliability despite the challenges of low-volume dispensing
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces traditional mechanical measurement methods with optical detection systems that use light beams to measure droplet volume. This substitution enables more precise and reliable measurement of small droplets by detecting optical properties (light transmission, scattering, or reflection) rather than relying on mechanical sensors that struggle with volumes as small as 1 μL or less
2Measurement precision
If optical detection systems with intersecting light beams are used to measure droplet characteristics, then the measurement precision for droplet volume, shape, and velocity is improved, but the device complexity increases due to multiple light sources and detectors
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple optical detection functions into a single integrated system where intersecting light beams from multiple sources are combined to measure multiple droplet characteristics simultaneously. The optical detection system measures droplet volume, shape, and velocity by analyzing light transmission, scattering, or reflection patterns, eliminating the need for separate measurement devices and reducing overall system complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a new dimensional approach by using intersecting light beams at specific angles to create an interaction volume where droplets are measured. This dimensional arrangement allows the system to capture multiple characteristics (volume, shape, velocity) by analyzing light properties from different spatial dimensions, improving measurement precision without proportionally increasing complexity
3Reliability
If real-time optical monitoring is implemented to detect and compensate for missing or incorrect droplets, then the reliability of synthesis quality is improved, but the loss of time increases due to additional detection and compensation steps
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements continuous optical monitoring throughout the dispensing process, allowing real-time detection of droplet characteristics without interrupting the dispensing flow. The system maintains continuous detection and compensation operations, ensuring that missing or incorrect droplets are identified and corrected immediately, thereby improving synthesis quality reliability while minimizing time loss through uninterrupted monitoring
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The system achieves high accuracy in measuring and controlling droplet volumes, reducing errors and improving the quality of synthesis reactions by accurately detecting and compensating for missing or incorrect volumes, even with droplets as small as 1 μL or less.
Implementation Method 1
a first light beam emitted a first light source of the plurality of first light sources is configured to intersect with a second light beam emitted from the second light source at an intersection area, and wherein the system is configured to measure a characteristic of the droplet as it passes through the intersection area
Implementation Method 2
the processor is configured to analyze: (i) an amount of light deflected from the first light beam as it passes through the intersection area; (ii) an amount of light deflected from the second light beam as it passes through the intersection area
Data Source
AI summary
Systems and methods for controlling volumes of droplets is provided herein. In some cases, the systems comprise: a plurality of first light sources, a second light source, wherein a first light beam emitted a first light source of said plurality of first light sources is configured to intersect with a second light beam emitted from said second light source at an intersection area, wherein said system is configured to measure a characteristic of said droplet as it passes through said intersection area. Systems and methods for measuring volumes of droplets and for distinguishing between bubbles and droplets are also provided.